CBS News journalist and correspondent Wesley Lowery deleted a tweet on Thursday that called an ailing Queen Elizabeth II an “oppressive ruler” just before Buckingham Palace announced her passing.
Alex Griswold shared a screenshot of the deleted comment, adding just the word “deleted” in his own caption.
Deleted pic.twitter.com/DREf06xhVW
— Alex Griswold (@HashtagGriswold) September 8, 2022
“The death of a person seen as near deity by the (white) political, ruling and media class, but who was also at one point the oppressive ruler of something like 30% of the global population, is going to provide an excellent example of the subjectivity of ‘straight news reporting,'” the tweet read.
Critics quickly responded to Lowery’s tweet, with some noting that he was an example of exactly the kind of “subjective” journalism he appeared to be trashing.
“This is a CBS reporter. He also is one of those privileged elite who the media insists is a necessary voice only because he sees racism everywhere and anything he doesn’t like is racism and you’re a racist if you disagree with him. Yet he is considered an objective reporter,” Erick Erickson argued.
This is a CBS reporter. He also is one of those privileged elite who the media insists is a necessary voice only because he sees racism everywhere and anything he doesn’t like is racism and you’re a racist if you disagree with him. Yet he is considered an objective reporter. pic.twitter.com/8yJlvs30hO
— Erick Erickson (@EWErickson) September 8, 2022
Pradeep Shankar noted that Lowery’s tweet also appeared to misjudge the size of the British Empire when Queen Elizabeth’s reign began in 1952.
“This dumb tweet by @WesleyLowery is also an ignorant tweet,” he said. “Elizabeth came to power in 1952. British Empire had already largely come apart, especially crown jewel India, which gained independence in 1947. It also accounted for vast majority of population of the Commonwealth.”
This dumb tweet by @WesleyLowery is also an ignorant tweet.
Elizabeth came to power in 1952. British Empire had already largely come apart, especially crown Jewel India, which gained independence in 1947. It also accounted for vast majority of population of the Commonwealth. https://t.co/RjIp1Ae9qH
— Pradheep J. Shanker (@Neoavatara) September 8, 2022
Lowery, whose major contribution to journalism in recent weeks was the glowing profile he wrote on Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) for GQ Magazine’s cover story, responded after deleting the tweet by explaining essentially that he had been right to say the things he said even if the timing was questionable.
Apparently addressing his many critics, Lowery tweeted, “You’re all right. Colonialism is in fact good. My bad lol.”
When someone asked why he had chosen to delete the original tweet, Lowery responded simply: “It was reductive — and that distracted from the broader point. And just didn’t think it was worth it to spend all day going back and forth on it.”
It was reductive – and that distracted from the broader point. And just didn't think it was worth it to spend all day going back and forth on it
— Wesley (@WesleyLowery) September 8, 2022
Queen Elizabeth II, according to a statement from the Royal Family, passed away peacefully among family members at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96 years old.